Genetic testing in aortic aneurysm disease: CON

Abstract

Surgery on the thoracic aorta is challenging, dangerous, intricate, complex, demanding, and tremendously rewarding. Yet, we need to raise our understanding of aortic disease to a higher plane. Linkage analysis and genetic sequencing techniques have been used to understand thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection. Although these genetic breakthroughs are exciting and important, this article espouses the CON point of view that routine genetic testing is not practical or clinically essential at the present time.